Jason Robinson has begun the healing process after England's miserable Millennium Stadium experience - and told his ailing world champions: ''We have to stand together.''
Robinson became the first England rugby union captain since Will Carling to suffer defeat in Cardiff as Wales memorably ended 12 years of hurt.
Gavin Henson's silver boot paved the Welsh capital's streets with gold, setting up resurgent Wales for a realistic tilt at RBS 6 Nations Championship title glory this season.
England though, given that their next two games see them facing France and Ireland, will now find it difficult to feature at the tournament's business end.
''We have to work hard and make sure that we get it right. Things have got to gel - we are not in a business where you get time to do anything,'' said Robinson.
''We've got a job to do, and we have got to make sure it happens. It didn't happen against Wales, and we paid a price for it.
''We cannot lose two on the trot, there is no doubt about it, and everyone has to have a look in the mirror and look at their own game. There are a lot of disappointed players who admitted they under-performed.
''Part of my job is to get them back up. We've got to stand together and take it on the chin,'' he added.
''I am sure if we pull together and work hard this week, we can get a result next Sunday. We are not just going to turn up and expect to win, we have got to work hard.'
''Sometimes, it's hard to put your finger on why certain things don't work out.
''I thought during the game, we didn't get our field position right, and we just weren't smart enough.
''I think it's just basics. We lost the game by two points, we certainly didn't get thrashed, but we need to get our basics right, we need to get quick ball at times and we need to play the opposition down in their half of the field.
''Yes, we've had some changes, but so has every other team. We can't make excuses, we just didn't perform.''